Final; 3-2 Cardiff Devils
This was a night of tight checking, north-south hockey and a lot to chew over for the league, as another slate of EIHL hockey was marred by inadequate officiating.
However, the home team managed to survive the Storm surge and skate away with crucial points in a barmy weekend of elite British hockey.
1. Special Teams Hot Again
Prior to puck drop, the most glaring aspect of the Devils early season was falling behind on the PK and a sort of clicking power play.
Of course, the main takeaway from this was the amount of games played over other teams, so the comparative stats across the deck doesn’t exactly paint a decent picture.
The end result of the game on Saturday night became a reminder of what the Devils team can do against not just who they are playing opposition wise, but the conditions dictated to them during the game.
Two of the three goals scored were from the power play. Much needed but worked brilliantly using the low, hard angle slot area to move the puck north and south, with the centre man to snipe home.
The first was gratefully sniped home following a one time blast and rebound, by O’Brien who was hovering near the low slot.
The second was from patient build up, good puck movement, again looking for O’Brien to find the right play, loitering short side by the post.
This little play pulled the Storm defence inside and out before Busch gleefully threw it home and taunted his combatant from the previous play (which resulted in the penalty) to produce the would-be GWG.
This wasn’t the only positive from the special teams that night.
The PK, which ranked 7th overall before the game, held their heads high after a baffling 5 minute major call given to Brandt (more on this later) was killed and the rest were dealt with throughout the game.
In the preview, it was stated there were already 23 power plays between these teams this season, with 73PIMS accrued on those infractions.
This game drew in 9 more power plays, adding 45 PIMS to this contest of two teams that have a chip on their shoulder towards each other.
The Devils PK went from 78.95% to 83.33%. Much more favourable considering what they had to kill in the first place.
The second goal for storm, was given during a delayed penalty call that shocked the players, Bowns especially, but finally drew the seething ire from the home crowd.
Another incredulous decision, that lead to more questions being asked, that has yet, gone unanswered by the league.
A long season for all in this area.
2. Questionable Officiating, Again
Another game week has flown by, with goals galore, entertaining match nights, good banter and bewildering decisions that affected game outcomes, spoiling the experience for spectators and in some cases, directly results in risks to player safety.
Then, there are the questions surrounding face-offs. This has been the most surprising part.
Not always can game day officials get every call correct. They are human after all and should be treated as such, with dignity, respect and compassion.
What can be criticised is performance, decision making and determination/interpretation of rules, guidelines and ability to apply them.
The latest EIHL Rules Casebook was updated on 07.09.24, you can visit it here; https://www.eliteleague.co.uk/casebook – these are amendments to the IIHF casebook, with some parts added and a few (redundantly) excluded.
For the IIHF casebook, this can be found here; https://blob.iihf.com/iihf-media/iihfmvc/media/contentimages/4_sport/officiating/rule_book/24_25/2024_iihf_rulebook_24052024_v1.pdf
For an ‘illegal check to the head/neck’ to occur, principally the contact should be observed and therefore determined as making contact with or indirectly to the neck or head area.
Considering the contact between Riley Brandt and the Storm player was directly to the chest, it would be impossible to argue otherwise.
The fact that the review took several minutes to determine the major call and player ejection was an outcome that can only be viewed as fanciful, predetermined and completely baffling.
Here is the determination of the ruling from the official IIHF rulebook;
Of course, there are other mitigating factors that do get considered, even when addressing then assessing accidental or non-incidental contact, however, considering the only contact area was to the chest, this in the entirety of the call, should have been nullified and assessed in a new capacity, such as elbowing (at best).
It begs the question and action from the EIHL, to determine what exactly their officials are interpreting, as the call on Saturday night in the second period, was anything but a check to the head.
The other issue that has plagued the league this season is the application of face offs.
It is incredibly simple. The centres line up, within their red lines, kindly painted on the ice to avoid any confusion, then, the official drops the puck, aided by this wonderful force called gravity.
Yet, multiple games across the league would have experienced the frustration of players, benches and fans in attendance or watching the streams, for continued stoppages and re-setting the face off.
It is game week seven. We are almost into November and not far from the new year, yet this is still an issue, that obviously bewilders and angers players, who have been drawing face offs for decades, in some cases.
So, it is either a directive from the league itself to the officials to tighten up on the action of restarting game play (which the IIHF considers Game Flow Management) and haven’t informed the teams and relevant coaches, or they did and teams/relevant coaches haven’t implemented or understood the new directive regarding face offs.
There is also the strongest possibility that none of the above even happened and we have a situation of individuals not being able to competently perform their job role and duties.
After all, like getting a shutout, officiating isn’t for everyone.
The usual situations where violations may take place would be sticks not on the ice up to 5s prior to the puck dropping, encroachment beyond designated, legal positions, also entering the face off circle when they shouldn’t, sticks in contact with other opponents and players positioning between the ‘restraining lines’ are the bread and butter, but they are self explanatory to most ice hockey enthusiasts and players of all levels.
This is where the focus would rightfully be, what are the players, if so, doing wrong during these times?
However, in person, this doesn’t seem to be the case. The nearest is when players waiting to draw on the face off dot, creep in. While waiting for the puck to drop.
Then the whistle goes. Reset is needed. Then again. And again.
We know the picture.
What needs to be assessed here is the time taken to know players are legally set from the command by the officials to take the face off, then the time to make the first call. If longer than 5 seconds, this is on the officials.
I can confidently say, this is the issue.
3. Goalie Battle Worthy of Praise
Coming into this game, Evan Weninger didn’t have the prowess that he produced last season, where he was one of the top goalies in the league, helping his side to an incredible 4th spot in the standings before getting completely butchered and scorched by the Flames in playoffs.
With a new coach and a host of new players, they didn’t have the brightest of starts, however, results were steadily building for the Storm.
Whilst they could score goals for fun, the previous game to the clash on Saturday saw them ease to a 7-3 drubbing of struggling Scottish minnows, Glasgow Clan.
Their GAA before this weekends fixtures went at 4.75. This isn’t what a competitive team wants from the men between the pipes or defensively as a whole.
After this weekend, Ben Bowns returned to the top of the goalies chart, with a 95.33 SV% and 1.57GAA. He has consistently delivered this throughout the early season. Adding to one of his best ever from last year.
The scoreline should have easily read 3 zip – if not for Weninger, who made some highlight reel saves in some cases one after the other to deny the highly skilled Devils offense and keep his team in the game.
Storm also had their chances and could argue it as an even closer affair on the scoresheet, if not for Bowns’ heroics and sheer luck from the bar, helping his best friend out at key times when under pressure, albeit, not often.
Weninger made 35 saves from 38 SOG, with 61 made in total by the home team. Another night, this result would have reflected the rest of the league in any capacity.
This was the only game that didn’t post a winner of getting 5 or more goals until the final game on Sunday, a 3:1 result for title holders, Steelers.
Bowns, made 29 saves from 31 to his net on 53 attempts.
A stark contrast to the Panthers – Stars game for example, who posted 42:44 shots respectively, with the game won by the visitors 5-2.
Quality over quantity of course is the name of the game and moral of the story.
The Blaze ran out as winners vs Giants in Belfast, facing 61 shots, 40 on net and Robson made 36 saves to take away two points to maintain his teams unbeaten start in the league this season.
Goalies matter and can win their team games. These individuals are true heroes.
4. O’Brien Continues to Cook
Another multi-point night for Zach O’Brien is proving to be one of the best import additions to the Devils in recent years and as first stated here anywhere in the UK or European hockey markets, he produces.
O’Brien was the playmaker for the PPG’s and was lethal carrying the puck, clever in picking spaces, pickpocketing opponents, finding key passes and knowing where to create and fill up space on the ice.
This is the player to expect to bring success back to Cardiff, along with his fellow line mates that has seen the biggest and most arrogant sleep on any team (aside from Coventry Blaze so far) to date.
He leads his team in points in the league and cup, where, the Devils are yet to play their 5th fixture, as the game on Sunday was postponed because the team in charge of managing game day operations for the Blaze clearly partied too hard in Belfast following their win.
It is forgiven.
17 points so far for O’Brien over 12GP in all EIHL competitions. He is just starting.
Here are the top 3 point scorers after game week 7;
5. Sir MacWilliam of Caerdydd
One player expected to make a big impact to the organisation was Andrew MacWilliam. His experience, journey to joining (finally for the owners) and his style of play has been something Devils fans have been longing for since the likes of Tyson Strachan.
A defensive defence man, big body, no fuss and a constant presence on the ice. Someone you never want to take a hit from, have in your face and get utterly incensed at.
A good game against him, is never getting too close or avoiding that big guy all together.
As Mac Carruth remarked during one broadcast, he is a ‘large human’.
Storm players experienced this on the night.
The 6 foot 2, 34 year old veteran has brought the stability and ferocity to the defensive unit that has been missing for quite some time.
Yes, there has been some fantastic players on the blue line over those years, but none quite as skilled and intelligent positionally as MacWilliam. Then, it his ability to absolutely annihilate players in the contact areas.
Several times during the game, he crushed his opponents. It wasn’t even funny. You could almost hear the hope and humanity escape out of his victims.
The best part is, he is textbook. In 10GP, he has collected 4 PIMS. These were for stick infractions.
In the scrums, if he is there, you get the scariest feature of anger you would ever come across and no wonder no one wants to tussle. He probably wants too, but he is smart enough to know when it would be needed.
He made the first contact with the hit that team mate Brandt wrongfully got called and ejected from. If anything, that hit turned the Storm player so the contact was to the chest. Brandt almost certainly was looking for shoulder contact to create a spark in a close game. MacWilliam beat him to it.
The Storm player who took the sandwich against the boards certainly wasn’t happy, but he didn’t get close to the imposing defence man since that incident. Smart decision.
For the bigger games, which are closing in fast, players like MacWilliam will be a massive boost and difference for this team.
Three Stars vs Storm
First Star; Zach O’Brien – It goes without saying, he will have a great collection of Penderyn Whiskey by the end of this season. They should think about making him an overseas ambassador.
His PPG goal and assist on the other made the key difference between the special teams and helped to secure another two points to stay on top of the table.
Second Star; Josh MacDonald – Another scintillating player that league is yet to understand or comprehend. His skill and pace with the puck is incredible, with some of the silkiest mitts across the EIHL. His goal answered back against the controversial opener, but its his work ethic that also earned him a spot on the three stars.
From blocking shots to generating scoring chances, he helped to drive the team and dictate the pace and game flow to quell the Storm.
Third Star; Tyler Busch – His game was under the radar throughout the 60 minutes, often drifting from the crease on the power play, which lead to a switch up on the play to get the puck low to O’Brien then up to the big centre man.
His forechecking was superb, gritty plays and chippy at times, being a nuisance to the opposition, which let others such as Sanford and O’Brien fly by and turn the screw.
He went 66% on the dots, but it was when Durflinger on a net drive slashed at Bowns turned the game entirely, many thanks to the role Busch played.
He immediately went after the player, overpowering him in the process, with the jersey pulled over his head and eventually being seated on the ice.
Amazingly didn’t also cost a penalty on the Devils. I honestly thought it would with coincidental penalties, roughing for each.
The resulting power play ended with a goal for his team, him being the scorer and Durflinger being his focus after celebrating.
What a moment for an iconic gentleman.
Tyler Busch, take a bow – then do it again.
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